Larkin competed in multiple weight classes before settling in at
170 pounds. A failed encounter with Muhammed
Lawal in 2012 prompted a move from light heavyweight to
middleweight, and losses to Francis
Carmont, Brad
Tavares, Costas
Philippou and Derek
Brunson resulted in his decision to downshift to welterweight.
Larkin has no regrets about the path he took.

The Millennia MMA export owns victories over former UFC
welterweight champion Robbie
Lawler, “The Ultimate Fighter 16” semifinalist Neil Magny
and two American Top Team reps: Jorge
Masvidal and Santiago
Ponzinibbio. Larkin will enter the cage against Lima on a
two-fight winning streak and has no plans to allow the judges to
involve themselves in the outcome.

“I [expletive] hate it [when it goes to the scorecards],” he said.
“I’m always thinking, ‘What the [expletive] are these judges going
to say?’”

Larkin went 5-5 in his 10-fight stint with the UFC, and it came as
a surprise to some when the organization did not do more to keep
him away from Bellator. For his part, “The Monsoon” admits he would
have liked to have taken on a few more challenges inside the
Octagon, a battle with Donald
Cerrone chief among them. A hypothetical bout with Stephen
Thompson also interested him.

“I feel like ‘Wonderboy” always gets clipped,” Larkin said. “You
just have to stay on top of him and be smart about the shots that
you pick on him and not go for guillotines.”

Larkin has compiled a 4-1 record since moving to welterweight, a
split decision loss to Albert
Tumenov his only misstep. While he has not fought since he
stopped Magny with elbows at UFC 202 on Aug. 20, he showed no
concern regarding the layoff and potential rust. Larkin adheres to
Dominick
Cruz way of thinking on the subject: “Ring rust is nothing more
than mental weakness.” Nevertheless, he has a difficult task in
front of him. Lima captured the welterweight title at Bellator 164
in November, when he knocked out Andrey
Koreshkov in Israel. The Atlanta-based Brazilian has won 16 of
his past 18 bouts.

A unique kick-heavy style that features a variety of spinning
attacks has made Larkin a fan favorite. That he has excelled while
utilizing more traditional martial arts techniques comes as little
surprise to him.

“I think that you can use a traditional art in MMA as long as you
adapt it to MMA and take some things that work in that style and
use it in MMA,” Larkin said, “but just to go in as one traditional
martial artist, you won’t ever make it.”